Obituaries March 10, 2013

Bobbie Nell RodenTUPELO – Bobbie Nell Russell Roden, 79, died Thursday, March 7, 2013, at her home after a brief illness. She was born June 3, 1933, in Thaxton to Moody E. and Louallie Gafford Russell. She was a graduate of Thaxton High School and attended business school in Memphis. She was a stewardess for Southern Airways in the mid-1950s and later worked as secretary for West Main Church of Christ. She was the owner of Travel Center of Tupelo and worked at her son’s business, Roden’s Piano and Music. While working for Southern Airways, she met her future husband, Cliff Roden, who was the manager for Southern’s Tupelo station. They married Nov. 11, 1956. They were charter members of West Main church of Christ in Tupelo, where she attended for over 50 years. She loved to travel and was an avid Ole Miss fan.
A service will be held at 2 p.m. today at West Main Church of Christ in Tupelo with Doug Greenway officiating. Burial will be at Lee Memorial Park. W.E. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements.
She is survived by her daughter, Monica Spencer (Jimmy) of Tupelo; her son, Rusty Roden (Karen) of Lafayette, La.; her brothers, M.G. Russell (Jan) of Memphis and Danny Russell (Tonie) of Thaxton; her sister, Donna Pettit (Gary) of Thaxton; her grandchildren, Annina Spencer of Tupelo, PFC James Spencer of Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and Hallie and John Roden of Lafayette, La.; nieces, Betty Brotherton, Alicia Russell, Dana Troyer, Gaye Ellis, Jenna Kentner, Andrea Warren, and Allison Armstrong; nephew, Greg Russell; and several great nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Cliff Roden, on July 11, 1997; her parents, Moody and Louallie Russell; her sister, Joyce Bevil; and her nephew, Randy Bevil.
Pallbearers will be Mitch Robbins and her nephews-in-law, Chris Troyer, Charles Ellis, Berry Kentner, Greg Warren, and Cory Armstrong.
Honorary pallbearers will be her special Friday night friends, Jane Kellum, Peggy Ramsey, Lamoise Young, Betty Barber, Glenda Malone, Mary Master and Evelyn McEwen and special friend, Nancy Kilpatrick.
Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until service time today at the church.
Memorials can be made in her honor to the American Diabetes Association or to the building fund for the Riverside church of Christ, 111 East Camellia Blvd., Lafayette, LA, 70503.
Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com.

Dorothy WhiteSHANNON – Dorothy Lee White, 81, of Shannon, died Sunday, March 3, 2013, at her home. She was born July 31, 1931, to Charles Coleman and Odessa Wren. She was a member of Johnson Chapel and a retired employee from North Mississippi Medical Center.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Mt. Calvary Outreach Church in Okolona. Burial will be in Johnson Chapel Cemetery. Williams Memorial in Okolona is in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include one daughter, Wilma Isby of Shannon; two sons, Joe White and Hester White, both of Shannon; one sister, Rayonne Shufford (Robert) of Detroit, Mich.; one brother, Jimmy Coleman (Margaret) of Memphis; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Feaster White; two sisters, Claudine Forbes and Wilma White; and one daughter, Diane White
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home.Ernest WoodyBALDWYN – Ernest Wayne Woody, 67, died Thursday, March 7, 2013, at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo. He was retired from APAC Inc. He graduated from Treadwell High School and attended the University of Memphis. He loved all his family and friends unconditionally and was loved by all who knew him. He enjoyed great food, good music, T.V., NASCAR, reading and sharing jokes and funny sayings with his brother, Denny. He was a longtime animal enthusiast and loved raising colts and puppies. He will always be remembered as “a plain vanilla kind of guy.”
He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Tere; sisters, Jean Hiltenbrand and Joyce Owen (Elliot), both of Memphis; brothers, Denny Woody (Lynn) and Howard Doyle, both of Memphis; and his mother-in-law, Doris Dillingham.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Orean Woody.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Forest Hill East Funeral Home in Memphis. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Interment will follow. Forest Hill East Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, send memorials to one of the following organizations: USASA Foundation (US Australia & Shepherd Association); PRO (Pointer Rescue Organization); or Sanctuary Hospice House (Tupelo).

Mildred BrownMANTACHIE – Mildred O. Williams Brown, 78, died Saturday, March 9, 2013, at North Mississippi Medical Center. She was born Sept. 8, 1934, to Bryant and Evie Pettigo Johnson. She worked for Mantachie and Reeds Manufacturing and was currently working in the cafeteria at ICC. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Mantachie, where she was a member of the Auditorium Bible Class and was a former Sunday school teacher. She loved cooking for her family, listening to Southern gospel music, traveling anywhere, especially to the Smokey Mountains, and collecting lighthouses.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church in Mantachie with Dr. John Adams officiating. Burial will be in Mantachie Cemetery. McNeece-Morris Funeral Home of Mantachie is in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include her husband, James A. Brown of Mantachie; one son, Rodney Wayne Williams (Kim) of Saltillo; and a host of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Ruble Wayne Williams; one brother, Olen Johnson; four sisters, Pauline West, Nellie Richards, Ruthie Cates, and Irene Johnson; a half-brother, John Johnson; a half-sister, Burt Johnson; and her parents.
Pallbearers will be Ryan Brown, Keith Brown, Adam Gardner, Nicky Gardner, Lee Loden, and Barry Johnson.
Honorary pallbearers will be the deacons of the First Baptist Church in Mantachie.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday and from 7 to 10 a.m. Tuesday at the McNeece-Morris Funeral Home in Mantachie. The body will lie in repose thirty minutes prior to service Tuesday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 159, Mantachie, MS 38855, or to the American Cancer Society.
Online condolences may be shared at www.mcneecemorrisfuneralhome.com.

Danny ReaHAMILTON – Danny Larry Rea, 44, died Saturday, March 9, 2013, as the result of a motorcycle accident. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Tisdale-Lann Memorial Funeral Home of Aberdeen.

Paul RorieCORINTH – Paul Rorie died Saturday, March 9, 2013, at Vanderbilt Medical Center. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Memorial Funeral Home of Corinth.Bill AndersonATLANTA, Ga. – Charles William “Bill” Anderson died Wednesday, March 6, 2013. He was born in Tuscaloosa on June 23, 1961, to Mary Houston Baker Anderson and John Crowell Anderson. He was the grandson of Hamilton William and Ellie Wood Baker of Monroe County, where he spent many happy summers. He had an insatiable passion for life and was loved by all who were blessed to be a part of his life. Bill was always a unique person and was fun-loving, kind, and generous in spirit. He was an avid reader, writer, philosopher, musician, photographer, and artist. After graduating from Sprayberry High School as a National Merit Scholar, he later graduated with degrees from the University of Georgia. Spending most of his career in higher education, Bill worked at Emory, Duke, and most recently as a digital library developer at Georgia Tech.
A memorial service was held at 3 p.m. March 9, 2013, at White Columns Funeral Chapel in Mableton, Ga.
He is survived by his sister, Mary York; his brother, John; his mother, Mary; his nieces and nephew; and his fiancee, Ingrid McIntosh.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his honor to the Atlanta Humane Society or to the charity of your choice. Contributions can also be made to Friends of the Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 784 Aberdeen, Mississippi 39700.

Timothy CrawfordPONTOTOC – Timothy Phillip Crawford, 50, died Saturday, March 09, 2013, at North Mississippi Regional Center. He was a member of Fairview United Methodist Church, and he enjoyed visiting and spending time with his family.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Browning Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Erin Grant officiating. Burial will be in Oak Forrest Cemetery. Browning Funeral Home of Pontotoc is in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include his parents, Erwin Phillip Crawford and Janis Staten Crawford of Pontotoc; his brother and sister-in-law, Jon Staten Crawford and Allison of Oxford; his niece, Frances Crawford; his grandmothers, Blanche Crawford and Eloise Staten Newell, both of Pontotoc; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Jason O. Staten Sr. and Ervin Crawford; his uncle: David Chris Staten, SP/4 US Army; and an aunt, Kathy Windham.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday and from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Condolences may be offered at www.browningpontotoc.com.

Lula ByramBELMONT – Lula Mae Byram, 86, died Saturday, March 9, 2013, at Tishomingo Community Living Center in Iuka. She was born in Tishomingo County to George Andy and Annie Lou Morgan Weems. She attended Mynot Church of Christ.
Services will be at 2 p.m. today at Deaton Funeral Home Chapel in Belmont with John Williams, Joel Caudle and Ron Deaton officiating. Burial will be in Belmont City Cemetery in Belmont. Deaton Funeral Home of Belmont is in charge of arrangements.
Survivors are her husband of 66 years, R.C. Byram of Belmont; one daughter, Peggie Fryer of Montgomery, Ala.; two granddaughters, Laura Matthews (Josh) of Montgomery and Teresa Ross (Marc) of Troy, Ala.; and two great-grandsons, Hunter and Drake Ross.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Luther Weems; and one sister, Belle Williams.
Pallbearers will be Rodger Burcham, Alan Williams, Jerry Dees, Roger Crane, Phillip Crane and Lee Williams.
Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. today at the funeral home in Belmont.Minnie WilliamsSHANNON – Minnie Lee Clark Williams, 82, of Shannon, died Saturday, March 2, 2013, at her home. She was born Sept. 7, 1930, ot Sheron Clark and Cordella Everson Clark. She was a member of New Salem M.B. Church. She loved cooking for her family.
Services will be at 2 p.m. today at High’s Chapel in Shannon with the Rev. Frank Townsend officiating. Burial will be in New Shannon Cemetery. Williams Memorial of Okolona is in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include two daughters, Carolyn Wren (Elzie) and Mary Williams, both of Shannon; two stepdaughters, Luenell Clark of Palmetto and Willie Lee White of Shannon; five sons, James Williams, Johnny Williams, Mack Williams, Michael Williams (Patricia), all of Shannon and Willie Williams (Peggy) of Houston; one sister, Gladys Holmes of Woodland; one brother, Sheron Thomas Clark of Grand Rapids, Mich.; 22 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Modene SutherlandVARDAMAN – Modene Murphree Sutherland, 99, died Wednesday, March 6, 2013, at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg. She was born Nov. 18, 1913, in Calhoun County. She was a homemaker, a member of New Liberty Baptist Church, and a member of Vardaman Home Demonstration Club, where she had a 75 year pin.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Monday at New Liberty Baptist Church in Vardaman with the Rev. Jeff Harmon and the Rev. Paul Childress officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Pryor Funeral Home of Calhoun City is in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include one daughter, Sandra (Tom) Brock of Hattiesburg; two sons, Raymond (Peggy) Sutherland of Vardaman and Ernest (Lynn) Sutherland of Memphis; nine grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Aubrey Sutherland; one son, James Willie Sutherland; parents, Willie Mart Murphree and Martha Viola Alexander Murphree; one sister, Ernie Harris; and one brother, E.A. “Oss” Murphree.
Pallbearers will be Brett Sutherland, Bart Sutherland, Kevin Sutherland, Joey Boyd, Tim Boyd, Rusty Clayton, and Jim Rutherford.
Honorary pallbearers will be Josh Sutherland, Derrick Court, Chris Wark, Dr. Randy Ross, and Dr. Charles Hernadez.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today and from noon until 1 p.m. Monday at the church.
Online condolences can be left at pryorfuneralhome.com.

Bobby LeeTUPELO – Bobbie G. Lee, 68, died Saturday, March 9, 2013, at a nursing home in Jackson after a lengthy illness. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by W.E. Pegues Funeral Directors.
Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com.

Louise KellyBRIAR RIDGE – Louise Austin Kelly, 98, died Saturday, March 09, 2013, at her home.
Services will be 2 p.m. Monday, March 11, 2013, at the Jefferson Street Chapel of W.E. Pegues Funeral Directors. Burial will be in Gilvo Cemetery.
Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Betty HodgesBOONEVILLE – Betty Hodges, 74, died Saturday, March 9, 2013, at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by McMillan Funeral Home.Idee DickeyWATER VALLEY – Idee Dickey, 97, died Saturday, March 9, 2013, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford. He was born Aug. 12, 1915, in Yalobusha County. He was a farmer and a member of Mt. Liberty Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon.
Services will be 11 a.m. Monday at Mt. Liberty Baptist Church with Bro. Kevin Jackson officiating and Bro. Jerry Smith and Bro. Bo Oswalt assisting. Burial will be in Mt. Liberty Cemetery in Water Valley. Parker Memorial Funeral Homes, Inc. of Bruce is in charge of arrangements.
He is survived by three daughters, Peggie Carr of Water Valley, Polly Miles of Memphis and Sandra Anglin of Memphis; one son, Bobby Dickey of Grenada; eight grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel Dickey and Fannie Pinkerton Dickey; one daughter, Linda Dickey Blount; one grandson, Archie Parker, three sisters, Dorothy Sutherland, Leler Prestage, and Zelma Sutherland; and three brothers, George, Vista and Sisler Dickey.
Pallbearers will be Robert Blount, Jason Carr, Dustin Dickey, Jerry Dickey, Ramey Gill, Joshua Miles, Esteban Salinas, and Scott Swords.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. The body will lie in state from 10:30 a.m. until time of service Monday at the church.

Hilda HolleyRANDOLPH – Hilda Marie Holley, 82, died Saturday, March 9, 2013, at North Mississippi in Tupelo. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She loved working in her flowers which she gladly shared with her church and friends.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at County Line Baptist Church with Bro. Chip Johnson, Bro. Rocky Watts and Bro. Robert Earl Alexander officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Tutor Memorial Funeral Home of Pontotoc is in charge of arrangements.
She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Herbert; two daughters, Linda Long of Randolph and Mary Ann Fisher (Bob) of Bolton; one son, Steve Holley (Brenda) of Pontotoc; six grandchildren, Hollie Kidd (Benjie), Lynn Parrish (Chad), Jacob Long (Kalie), April Ruffin (Nick), Adam Holley (Melanie), and Andrew Holley; 10 great-grandchildren, Rodney, Austin, Alisha, Alex, Elizabeth, Eli, Ainsley, Mallory, Brody, and Noah; two brothers, Quay Douglas (Martha) of Bartlett, Tenn. and Jackie Douglas (Nell) of Randolph.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Polie and Errlene Douglas; and son-in-law, Roger Long.
Pallbearers will be Adam Holley, Andrew Holley, Jacob Long, Rodney Parrish, Austin Kidd, and Danny Douglas.
Visitation will be from 4 to 10 p.m. today and from noon until service time Monday at the church.

Milton SimpsonASHLAND – Milton Ferrell Simpson, 96, died Friday, March 8, 2013, at Tippah County Hospital in Ripley. He was born Jan. 19, 1917, to Robert and Lillian Victoria Dickerson Simpson in Benton County. He was the last survivor of 12 children. He was a retired farmer and an employee of Briar Crest Nursing Home. He also worked at Wurlitzer Piano Company in Holly Springs. Since 1957, he had been a member of Beech Hill Church of Christ, where he attended faithfully. At the time of his death, he was the oldest member of the church.
Services will be at 2 p.m. today at Beech Hill Church of Christ in Benton County with Minister King McCarver and Minister James Horton officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. McBride Funeral Home of Ripley is in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include his wife, Ernest Christine Griffin Simpson of Ashland; three daughters, Carolyn Craft, Sandra Grisham (Lynn), and Betty Harrell (Dan), all of Ripley; three stepdaughters, Teresa McMullin of Hickory Flat, Linda Brock (Gerald) of Ripley, and Janice Jackson of Ashland; two sons, Coleman Simpson (Shelia) of Olive Branch and Tommy Simpson of Ripley; one stepson, Herschel McClusky Jr. (Judy) of Holly Springs; 22 grandchildren; and 40 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ruby Thompson Simpson in 1965; his parents; and 11 sisters and brothers.
Pallbearers will be his grandsons and grandsons-in-law.
Honorary pallbearers will be his step grandsons-in-law.
Visitation will be from 7 to 11 a.m. today at the funeral home and from 1 p.m. until service time today at the church.Benson FranksMANTACHIE – William Benson Franks, 85, died Friday, March 8, 2013, at Alliance Healthcare in Holly Springs. He was born June 4, 1927, in Mantachie to O.C. and Nevell Cayson Franks. He was a driver for Greyhound Bus Lines for 30 years. He was a member of the Fawn Grove Freewill Baptist Church. He was a Veteran of the U.S. Army. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and trading cars.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the McNeece-Morris Funeral Home Chapel in Mantachie with Bro. Terry Booker and Ron Franks officiating. Burial will be in Fawn Grove Cemetery. McNeece-Morris Funeral Home of Mantachie is in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include two sons, Richard Franks (Charlene) of Collierville, Tenn., and Ron Franks (Dell) of Paragould, Ark.; his mother, Nevell Franks of Mantachie; one sister, Sara Metcalf of Tupelo; four grandchildren, Eric Franks, Adam Franks, Corbet Franks (Caroline), and Jessica Grigsby (Chad); and one great-grandson, Ezra Grigsby.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Franks; his father, O.C. Franks; one sister, Brenda Farris; and one brother, Joe Franks.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be shared at www.mcneecemorrisfuneralhome.com.

Tammy AkinsRIPLEY – Tammy Louise Spears Akins, 46, died Friday, March 8, 2013, at her home.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at McBride Funeral Home Chapel in Ripley. Burial will be in Flat Rock Cemetery in Hickory Flat. McBride Funeral Home of Ripley is in charge of arragements.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Aubrey GurleyGUYS, Tenn. – Aubrey Gurley, 87, died Friday, March 8, 2013, at her home.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Corinthian Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be in Henry Cemetery. Corinthian Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Gladys WestJACKSON – Gladys West, 93, died Friday, March 8, 2013, in Jackson.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Oliver Funeral Home Chapel in Eupora. Burial will be in Salem Cemeter in Choctaw County. Oliver Funeral Home of Eupora is in charge of arrangements.
Visitation will be from 11a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Janet KellyWALNUT – Janet Renae Kelly, 53, died Saturday, March 9, 2013, at her home. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by McBride Funeral Home of Ripley.